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6:30 p.m. March 2, 2005
The following members were present:
Rick Lopez
Karen Nakandakare
Karen Kellen
Elzia Sekou
Bruce Smith
Carlos Cuellar
Mark Skinner
Pete Roybal
Harry Cullis
Vanita Bellen
Willard Hardesty
Mayor Steve Burkholder
Councilor Debbie Koop
City Employees - Ex-officio members present:
Ken Milano
Mike Becker
Olga Mikhailova
Linda Reynolds
Bill Taylor
Absent:
Calvin Hardwick
Councilor Barbara Green-Martina
Felix Cook
Margaret Sawyer
Guadalupe Sisneros
Therese Megargee
Ning Shen
Others Present:
George Valuck, Executive Director, Alameda Gateway Association
Full and timely notice of this Commission meeting had been given.
I. PUBLIC COMMENT
George Valuck, representing the Alameda Gateway Association, was introduced
to those present. Mr. Valuck assisted the Commission with distribution and collection
of the parents' survey. The purpose of the survey is to gather data relating
to services offered by the City. The information provided will be shared with
the Lakewood City Council.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - February 2, 2005
A motion was made by Commissioner Nakandakare to approve the February 2, 2005,
minutes and was seconded by Commissioner Cuellar. With all present and voting
in favor, THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR FEBRUARY WAS ADOPTED.
III. COMMISSIONER REPORTS
Partnerships: Commissioner Karen Kellen
A list of existing partnerships and potential partnerships was distributed.
The Commission reviewed the lists to confirm existing liaisons and solicit commissioners'
interested in championing new partnerships. The results were as follows:
Existing Partnerships
· Lakewood on Parade Board - Carlos Cuellar
· O'Kane Park Neighborhood Association - Debbie Koop
· Alameda Gateway Association (includes The Learning Source - contact
Susan Lithgow) - Debbie Koop
· Red Rocks Community College (RRCC Diversity Council - contact Jennifer
Squires) - Pete Roybal and Carlos Cuellar
· Jeffco Schools (school contact Elaine Rosenthal) - Rick Lopez
· Lakewood Youth Commission - Elzia Sekou
· Lakewood Senior Citizen Commission - Harry Cullis
· Alameda High School - Ken Milano
· Denver City Forum - Elzia Sekou
The Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) was deleted from the list because it may not be active in Lakewood in the future.
Potential Partnerships
In reviewing this list, it was clarified that involvement would evolve as partnerships
are useful to meeting the Commission's goals. Therefore, assigning a champion
to each potential partnership was unnecessary at this time. Commissioner Kellen
did encourage everyone to get involved in one or more of these partnerships
from time to time.
· Middle Schools (school contacts - Jefferson County School Board, Jane
Barnes or others from the calendar)
· Citizens for Lakewood's Future - Carlos Cuellar (Board member)
· National League of Cities Lakewood Community Governance Group (formerly
Democratic Governance Committee) - Carlos Cuellar and Rick Lopez
· Other Colleges and High Schools in the area
· Surrounding cities (e.g. Denver, Wheat Ridge, Edgewater, Arvada, Westminster)
· The Woman's, Hispanic, Indian, Asian and other Chambers of Commerce
· Block and Neighborhood Associations
· Other Homeowner Associations (HOAs)
· Other viable Hispanic organizations in the Lakewood area
· "Like and Kindred" organizations
· Lakewood Heritage, Culture and the Arts Commission/Division - Rick
Lopez
· Lakewood Housing Authority/Department
· Lakewood Police Department (contact - Karen Nakandakare)
Added to this list were:
· Young Ameritown
· West Colfax Community Association - Carlos Cuellar
· West Corridor Transit Group
· Belmar Association (conduit through Alameda Gateway Association)
Deleted from the list were:
· NW Transit Alliance Group (parkway affects Golden and Arvada only)
Olga Mikhailova pointed out to the Commission that the City maintains a list of over 50 homeowner association contacts and this list is posted on the City's website (www.lakewood.org).
Events: Commissioner Elzia Sekou
Commissioner Sekou reported he had reviewed the past events the Commission had
been participating in. There were a total of six with some requiring more intensive
planning and involvement than others. Of these events, four occurred in the
same month and two in another single month. In addition, two of the six events
- FusionFest/Heritage Pow Wow and Scrub - had either been cancelled altogether
or cut back. Commissioner Sekou asked those present to consider what events
to continue and whether the Commission should adopt new events.
Commissioner Cullis questioned the value of Commissioners attending the Cherry Creek Diversity Conference. Commissioner Kellen thought the value was to establish partnerships, but perhaps it would be better to support attendance of students from Jefferson County. Mike Becker added that approximately 50 students from Jefferson County schools do attend each year. Two ideas presented were the Commission could display information at a booth and/or sponsor a workshop in lieu of attending the conference. Commissioner Nakandakare questioned whether the Commission should try to influence students to attend adding that they have to want to attend. She also pointed out that students usually don't "linger" to get information and asked the Commission to be diligent about taking on more events. Commissioner Sekou concurred that the Commission should be more strategic about what events to be involved in.
With regard to Scrub, Commissioner Mikhailova reported that the budget for this event has been reduced in 2005, which will result in perhaps one to three homes being "scrubbed" rather than an entire neighborhood. It was also clarified that the Commission involvement was up to each individual to volunteer.
Following the discussion, there was consensus from those present that the Dr. Martin Luther King breakfast and essay contest, the Art Experience, and Scrub should be continued. At the next meeting, the Commission will discuss the costs of these events and establish Commission volunteers to take the lead on organizing the events.
Awareness Through Media Tools: Commissioner Harry Cullis
Commissioner Cullis thanked George Valuck for assisting with the parents' survey.
In checking with the City about the possibility of providing the survey on-line,
the City's Web Master, felt response would probably be minimal and a print/mail
back format would be better. Commissioner Cullis reported the sub-committee
would be meeting the following week to discuss the results of the survey to
date and the next steps.
Red Rocks Community College Liaison: Commissioners Cuellar and Roybal
No Report
Public Policy Forum "Latino's Forging the Future 2005": Commissioner
Roybal
Commissioner Roybal attended the February 5th Forum. He reported the three main
issues discussed were 1) immigration; 2) Colorado health care; and 3) access
to higher education. Related to the first issue, there was concern expressed
about illegal aliens' problems such as: being victimized and not reporting crimes
for fear of extradition; the inability to obtain driver's licenses, therefore,
the inability to purchase car insurance; and the lack of acceptance for Identification
Cards. A question was raised at the Forum about where does the billions of dollars
collected in income taxes and Social Security go when illegal immigrants move
from job to job. With regard to the second issue, Amendment 35, the Tobacco
Tax, is proposed to address some of the health care needs for undocumented workers.
Attendees as the Forum also discussed the difficulties undocumented Latino's
have in accessing opportunities for higher education. Two problems reported
are tuition is assessed at "out of state" rates and the government
does not pay tuition assistance to undocumented students.
In response to a question from Commissioner Nakandakare, Commissioner Roybal stated that nothing was resolved at the Forum; it was just an open forum discussion.
Lakewood Community Governance Group (formerly Democratic Governance Committee
Chairman Lopez asked if anyone present could provide an update to the Lakewood
Community Governance Group efforts. Commissioner Cuellar stated he will be attending
the March 5 meeting of the group and could report back next month. The Mayor
explained that the National League of Cities started this effort about a year
ago to get more citizens involved in their government. Monthly meetings are
open to the public. They consist of approximately 15 citizens getting together
to discuss community issues. The meetings have been successful in developing
a sense of trust between the citizens and their local government and empowered
citizens to communicate what they want their community to be. Reach out is currently
underway to get conveners to host meetings in April and May. The last meeting
will probably be held in June. Councilor Koop encouraged Commissioners to attend
these meeting if at all possible.
Senior Advisory Commission: Commissioner Cullis
Commissioner Cullis informed those present that the Senior Advisory Commission
has recently published their annual report to City Council. In reviewing the
report, many of their goals parallel the goals of the Commission on Cultural
Diversity and Human Relations. Also, he asked them to seek more minority representation
on their Commission. The Mayor asked that everyone assist by encouraging more
diversity in the applicants that apply to serve on all the City's boards and
commissions.
IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
V. NEW BUSINESS
The Commission requested a discussion about preparing an educational brochure
be placed on the next meeting agenda.
There was also an idea presented that the Commission could support diversity in the community by promoting minority-owned restaurants and other businesses. This could be done by distributing flyers in grocery stores and/or a list on the City's website. In discussing the idea, it was suggested that a balance was necessary to focus on diversity and not ethnicity. The Mayor felt this type of advertising should come from the Chamber of Commerce. Another suggestion made was that human-interest stories could be written for Looking at Lakewood to promote these businesses.
VI. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Commissioner Skinner distributed information on InternationalGateways.com, a
Colorado based network providing multicultural events calendars, connections
and resources.
Commissioner Nakandakare announced the Dragon Boat Festival would be held July 30 and 31, 2005. The organizers of the event are seeking a trusted group of volunteers to spearhead the merchandise sales booths at the event. All proceeds return to the Festival.
The lack of public attendance at the meeting was discussed. Councilor Koop suggested specific area meeting notices be placed in neighborhood newsletters and a list of all scheduled meetings be published ahead of time on Channel 8 and Looking at Lakewood.
Mayor Burkholder reiterated several key issues discussed at the meeting such as the importance to encourage diversity on all boards and commissions and the need to rebuild trust in government. He informed the Commission he would be going to Washington D.C. to lobby for the Community Development Block Grant program to remain at the Department of Housing and Urban Development and continue as a locally administered block grant program. Speaking for the entire City Council, Mayor Burkholder reaffirmed their commitment to the arts, freedom of speech and the American soldiers.
With respect to the City's financial picture, the Mayor stressed the seriousness of the situation Lakewood is facing. There are three major causes: the low sales tax rate, Internet sales, and rising costs. He stated there would be area meetings held this year to educate the citizens on the City's financial picture and there probably would be a ballot issue in the future to raise Lakewood's sales tax rate.
Councilor Koop announced the new Super Walmart at Colfax and Wadsworth would be opening March 23 and the 1st and Wadsworth store would be closing the night before.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before the Commission, a motion was made by
Commissioner Cuellar and seconded by Commissioner Roybal to adjourn. The meeting
was adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Margaret Sawyer, Staff Liaison
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